BATTERIES & CHARGERS FEATURE
€3.2BN BATTERY RESEARCH AND INNOVATION PROJECT
The European Commission has approved an Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI), jointly notified by Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Sweden to support research and innovation in the common European priority area of batteries
The project involves ambitious and
risky research and development activities to deliver beyond the state-of-the-art innovation across the battery value chain, from mining and processing the raw materials, production of advanced chemical materials, the design of battery cells and modules and their integration into smart systems, to the recycling and repurposing of used batteries. Innovation will also specifically aim at
improving the environmental sustainability in all segments of the battery value chain. It aims to reduce the CO2
footprint and the waste generated T
he seven member states will provide up to approximately €3.2bn in
funding for this project, which is expected to unlock an additional €5bn in private investments. The completion of the overall project is planned for 2031. Margrethe Vestager, executive vice
president ‘Europe fit for the digital age’ and commissioner in charge of competition policy, says: “Battery production in Europe is of strategic interest for our economy and society because of its potential in terms of clean mobility and energy, job creation, sustainability and competitiveness. “Our Important Projects of Common
European Interest smooth the way for public authorities and industries from several Member States to come together and design ambitious innovation projects with positive spill-over effects across industrial sectors and regions. The approved aid will ensure that this important project can go ahead without unduly distorting competition.” Maroš Šefčovič, vice president for
interinstitutional relations and foresight, says: “Our focus on scaling up innovation under the European Battery Alliance is yielding strong industrial partnerships. Thanks to intensive efforts by seven member states,
industry and the Commission, Europe's first major pan-European battery ecosystem is emerging, with lead projects in all segments of this strategic value chain.” The project will involve 17 direct
participants, mostly industrial actors, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The transition to climate neutrality,
including through clean and low emission mobility, will bring significant opportunities for economic growth, job creation and technological development. Demand for batteries is expected to grow very rapidly in the coming years. Forward-looking research, development and innovation policies will have a key role to enable Europe and its member states to make the most of this transition. The Commission launched the European Battery Alliance at the end of 2017 and adopted a Strategic Action Plan for Batteries in May 2018. This project is part of these efforts. It
supports the development of highly innovative and sustainable technologies for lithium-ion batteries (liquid electrolyte and solid state) that last longer, have shorter charging times, are safer and more environmentally friendly than those currently available.
along the different production processes, as well as develop environmentally friendly and sustainable dismantling, recycling and refining, in line with circular economy principles. More specifically, the project
participants and their partners will focus their work on four areas: Raw and advanced materials: The
project aims to develop sustainable innovative processes allowing extraction, concentration, refining and purification of ores to generate high purity raw materials. With respect to advanced materials (such as cathodes, anodes and electrolytes), the project aims to enhance existing materials or create new ones, to be used in innovative battery cells. Cells and modules: The project aims
to develop innovative cells and modules designed to meet the safety and performance required for both automotive and non-automotive applications (for example, stationary energy storage, power tools, etc). Battery systems:The project aims to
develop innovative battery systems including battery management software and algorithms, as well as innovative test methods. Repurposing, recycling and refining:
The project aims to design safe and innovative processes for collection, dismantling, repurposing, recycling and refining of recycled materials.
European Commission
ec.europa.eu ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING | FEBRUARY 2020 13
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